State Rep. Steve Braun joining Pence administration

State Rep. Steve Braun will resign his House seat to become Indiana’s workforce development commissioner.

The Zionsville Republican, who is running unopposed for his District 24 House seat, plans to wait until after the November election to take the new job.

“I’ve been distinctly privileged to represent the people of Boone and Hamilton counties during my time in the Indiana General Assembly,” Braun said in a written statement. “The opportunity to lead the Department of Workforce Development will let me serve the entire state, and as I finish out my current term, I look forward to continuing my public service in a new capacity.”

Scott Sanders, the current workforce development commissioner, will stay on as senior deputy commissioner, providing operational management and executive oversight of the unemployment insurance division.

Braun is a Harvard graduate who built and sold his own technology company before entering politics. He has also sponsored several of Gov. Mike Pence’s workforce development initiatives in the legislature.

Pence said Braun’s experience will serve the state well.

“With expertise as both a public servant and a successful entrepreneur, Steve Braun has the unique background and skills necessary to continue to drive Indiana’s workforce development and pair it with innovative career and education opportunities for Hoosiers,” Pence said.

Braun will still appear on the ballot as a candidate for re-election this November. The Pence administration said discussions about the position began after the July 15 deadline to withdraw from the ballot.

Assuming he wins, Braun plans to resign his seat and begin his new job Nov. 24. A caucus of Republican precinct committee members would then appoint a replacement.